Zinc supplementation inhibits the increase in osteoclastogenesis and decrease in osteoblastogenesis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Zinc (Zn) has been shown to stimulate bone formation and inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption and osteoclastogenesis. However, the effects of Zn on bone metabolism in diabetic animals remain to be clarified in vivo. Here, the effects of Zn supplementation on bone metabolism, including osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis, were investigated using streptozotocine (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Zn-supplemented water (7.5 mg/L) was given for 1 week to diabetic rats injected with STZ (30 mg/kg body weight) 1 week earlier. The Zn supplement prevented a decrease in the activity and mRNA of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin mRNA, and hydroxyproline and calcium levels, and an increase in the activity and mRNA of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and cathepsin K in the proximal tibia of diabetic rats. Histological analysis revealed that the Zn supplement inhibited the diabetes-induced increase and decrease in the number of osteoclasts and osteoblasts, respectively, in the metaphysis of the proximal tibia. The increase in mRNA levels of receptor for activation of NF-κB (RANK), c-fos, c-jun, TRAP, and cathepsin K and decrease in the expression of Runx2, Dlx5, osterix, ALP, osteocalcin, and collagen were prevented by the supplement. The decrease in β-catenin, phosphorylated GSK3β, phosphorylated Akt, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) protein levels in diabetic rats was also inhibited, although Zn did not affect the diabetes-increased gene and protein expression of Sost and Dkk1. These results suggested that Zn prevented the diabetes-induced increase in osteoclastogenesis and decrease in osteoblastogenesis by inhibiting RANK expression and stimulating IGF-1/IGF-1R/Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling, respectively.